which gives rise to the presence of unhealthy vibrations, which in the end results in the attracting of all kinds of unhealthy spirits who can be evil and fearful. Who was it that has caused these beings to be? Where is the beginning of such evil beings that exist to strike fear in the hearts of others? Why should demons exist in the world, in the mind at all?
The deluded ones become easy victim to fear. Their understanding is clouded and they will not be able to see things as they are. Because of their uneven thinking, they create in their minds all kinds of distasteful thoughts which bring about fear. What is fear? It is nothing but the result of an unstable mind, of a guilty mind, of an evil mind, of an unsound mind.
Fear strikes the moment one invites it to surface. Even in the best of environment, one whose mind is uneven, is superstitious, is fearful need only to bring out a single thought ‘that this place is evil,’ and then instantly a wave of unpleasant feelings will be felt. If such a person is not able to recognise that it was him who had introduced fear to his own mind, he will become a victim of his own silly imagination. Then the entire surrounding will seem fearful to him and all pleasantness will turn into visions of fear. Mirrors will seem to reflect different images and all kinds of sounds will be heard. This person then puts himself inside a prison which he has created out of ignorance. The same situation can be applied to other emotional feelings. Think deeply on this and see how silly you have been in the past, and how often fears have turned out to be a ridiculous conception!
But just as fear can come into the mind, it can be removed just as quickly. Mental states are the cause of all kinds of emotive feelings and should be recognised through contemplation. The presence of Kuan Shih Yin in the minds of those who put their faith in Her is one of the best means of ridding unhealthy feelings and desires. Live in contentment and live for the sake of learning the truth of life. Then life can become happy and healthy, then problems are no longer insurmountable, then life is no longer a vision but a practical way of living. But not many people in the world is fortunate to be under the protection of Kuan Shih Yin. The P’usa may be most willing to give comfort, but clouded minds will not accept any help, will not recognise it as help and may even fear the Bodhisattva!
There are many kinds of minds in the world. No two are the same and therefore the number of mental states at any one moment cannot be determined. But they can be classified into different broad categories and therefore even those who call themselves my devotees are of many kinds. Therefore the seventy two forms that I can assume are meant to assist beings under these number of categories. How many who pray to Me believed in me - really?
How many are praying as a last resort? How many know the true meaning of the form that I assume? But what does it matter? Writers have called the Great Sage “Monkey”. It can be offending and yet it is not. In the name of Sin Wu Kung, the deeper meaning of having understood emptiness applies. Since emptiness has been realised, how can any name be attached to? But why a monkey? Who is not a monkey in some way? Superficial people will to be able to discern what is meant in the above few sentences. But if you will only sit and think, you will surely arrive at the deeper messages that reside therein. Life is like that. Those who think become wiser, that’s why they say that ‘life is as the mind is.’ That is why it is so true that mind is all! If people have not thought of flying, aeroplanes would not be around, if people had not thought of other pleasantries of life, they would not have existed. And because people also have evil and unforgiving thoughts, the world has become what it is today! Mind makes the world in a broad sense. The wise ones will easily recognise that mind is life so that they will spend time to practice the exercise which help them to guard their minds so that depraved mental states are avoided. Choosing to be unforgiving, one becomes filled with anger and hatreds. His world is then limited to gloominess and this will invite dark forces and vibrations to be attached to his mind. It will be difficult for such a person to be happy and with time, the entire mind will lose its true sense - such a person is condemned, is possessed by the very evil that he has generated! This is but an example of how a single non virtuous thought can turn a person from a good state to that of a monstrous beings. It is very easy to fall prey to the influence of an evil thought. That is why everyone needs a deity to worship. Better still, he should have a religious path to follow so that good and evil is recognised. Best of all, he should have a noble aspiration to attain the highest good, that of an enlightened being who is no longer affected by world passions!
This guarding of the mind is the perfecting of one’s life! It is therefore one’s own duty to love himself and making sure that he will not fall into the influence of evil mental states which will cause him great sufferings. Despite not wanting to have any sufferings, despite it be very easy to love one’s own self, yet how many have the intelligence to safeguard himself daily and making sure that all unhealthy thoughts be uprooted before its influence take firm root? Mind is swift and thoughts are endless. Life is indeed the greatest challenge to those who know this point so that they will not live only to satisfy their selfish desires which will surely lead them into a state of suffering in the end. Only the pure ones will be able to escape from the great sufferings of life. To be able to be pure is to be able to live happily and happy persons will only invite kind and beneficial thoughts to be generated. No longer suffering from all kinds of distasteful desires of greed, anger, envy and so on, contentment is found and compassion will soon arise. Those who are compassionate have a natural tendency towards adoring Kuan Shih Yin. Adoring Kuan Shih Yin is to recognise Her great virtues which all her devotees must try to cultivate. In trying to become as Kuan Yin would wish Her devotees to be, it is the beginning of cultivation, then life will take a new turn and all kinds of experiences will be felt. Life can be wonderful and meaningful or horrible and meaningless. It is all within oneself to decide which path to take.
Remove all evil tendencies, life will soon become pleasant. Cultivating selfish desires, all kinds of pains will affect oneself and those around him. Kuan Shih Yin does not force people to be good or evil. She exists as a perfect example of how high a state one can attain through earthly living. Nothing is unattainable when the mind is clear. Cleanse the mind each day then and proceed to the heavenly states which will make life rewarding to yourself and others. Decide to be and then make your move to attain your goals. Life is short on the earth when compared to heavenly life space, make sure that this life time is well lived and earn as much merits as you can. What is a few short decades compared to the incalculable life space of heaven beings? Change your view towards life then and head for happiness in the future. Once this state of mind has been developed, one will surely reject unpleasant mental states, will very easily recognise what is the outcome of evil, then he will recognise the need to help others out of their suffering states. This is how life will point one’s mind to. Every being has a noble objective to attain no matter who he is or how he looks. That is why you find that Deities too take the forms of ugly and repulsive ones as well as the kind and compassionate. That is why a ‘Monkey God’ comes into being, not for the sake of the monkeys but for the humans who are no better than them.
Today is an auspicious day and so this unexpected message. Offer incense before the beginning of prayers, better still while the ‘incense offering praise’ is sung. Blessings will be given and prayers should be meditative and happy in nature so as to create a happy sensation within the mind. Those who have time to improve their spiritual nature will develop the inner strength to face the battles of life. No one should expect life to be free of struggles and battles. Reading the story of ‘monkey’s journey to the West’ should lead ones mind to realise that there is a goal in life and that attainment cannot be achieved without constant struggle with one’s own self and with others! Only the brave will be victorious!
Tuesday, 18th June 1985 (5th Moon 1st Day)